Our monthly summaries of BBC News website coverage of Israel and the Palestinians (see ‘related articles’ below) show that throughout 2022 audiences saw almost four times more coverage of internal Israeli affairs than they did of internal Palestinian affairs. One third of the year’s twelve months (February, April, May and August) saw no new reporting on Palestinian affairs whatsoever.
Of the fourteen reports published throughout the year (compared to 53 items concerning internal Israeli affairs and out of a total of 206 items), one related to the Christmas season:
Bethlehem sees Christmas tourism boost after two-year Covid hiatus Yolande Knell & Mattea Bubalo (24/12/22) discussed here
Three reports were about animal welfare:
Palestinian mayor backtracks after dead dog reward outrage Yolande Knell (11/11/22) discussed here
The UK charity helping Holy Land donkeys Yolande Knell (25/12/22)
Saving donkeys in the Holy Land Yolande Knell (25/12/22)
Internal events in the Gaza Strip were the topic of just three items published throughout the year, despite the fact that the BBC is one of the few Western media outlets to have a bureau in Gaza City.
Palestinians vent against Hamas in rare online event Yolande Knell & Rushdi Abu Alouf (28/1/22) discussed here
Hamas executes two ‘Israel collaborators’ in Gaza (4/9/22) discussed here
Gaza: At least 21 killed in Jabalia refugee camp fire Rushdi Abu Alouf & George Wright (17/11/22) discussed here
The decade and a half split between Palestinian political factions was the topic of one short item in 2022:
Algerian president hosts rival Palestine leaders Youssef Taha (6/7/22) discussed here
Two items related to the Palestinian Authority’s long term financial crisis:
The Palestinian cancer centre that can’t take patients Yolande Knell (27/3/22) discussed here
European Union to unfreeze aid for Palestinians David Gritten (14/6/22) discussed here
Two items concerned security issues in the Palestinian Authority controlled towns of Jenin and Nablus (Schem):
Jenin in the West Bank: Guns and grief on the rise Tom Bateman (12/7/22) discussed here
Palestinian raid sparks gunfights and protests Tom Bateman (20/9/22) discussed here
One report concerned the murder of a gay Palestinian:
Gay Palestinian Ahmad Abu Marhia beheaded in West Bank (7/10/22) discussed here
One item related to a story covered widely by the BBC last year:
Nizar Banat: Palestinian activist’s family asks ICC to probe death David Gritten (15/12/22) discussed here
Topics not reported by the BBC in 2022 include repeated violent clashes between rival clans in Hebron, attacks on Christians, repeated allegations of torture in Palestinian Authority prisons, frequent arrests of political opponents and journalists by PA security forces and internal political tensions within the Palestinian Authority. BBC audiences learned nothing about women’s rights in areas controlled by the PA or Hamas.
Perhaps the most significant issues repeatedly overlooked by the BBC in 2022 – given its focus on “the deadliest year for Palestinians” – were the Palestinian Authority’s loss of control over parts of the territory in Area A and the rising participation of members of the PA security forces in terrorism.
Although the BBC maintains offices in Gaza City, Jerusalem and Ramallah, stand-alone reports concerning internal Palestinian affairs which are not framed within the context of ‘the conflict’ and do not have an Israel-related component continue to be few and far between.
Related Articles:
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – JANUARY 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – FEBRUARY 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – MARCH 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – APRIL 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – MAY 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – JUNE 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – JULY 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – AUGUST 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – SEPTEMBER 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – OCTOBER 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – NOVEMBER 2022
SUMMARY OF BBC NEWS WEBSITE PORTRAYAL OF ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS – DECEMBER 2022
REVIEWING BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE OF PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS IN 2021
REVIEWING BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE OF PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS IN 2020
REVIEWING BBC NEWS WEBSITE COVERAGE OF PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS IN 2019
